The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-02-08

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not to school him, for he is smart,
lust like you, father, and teacher says
he must 60 to the academy at Meriden,
and Maria, mothers namesake, Is just
as pretty as she was, and she needs
schooling, and other things, you
know"
He did not dare say "a piano." for
fear his father might object. Yet the
old mans fondness for hymns would
have carried the day upon that point.
But the references to himself and his
wife pleased him highly, as Thomas
Harrison knew they would do and he
thawed perceptibly as he said
Eyes, yes, / know you've got a
mighty smart lot OF chicks coming on
smarter than the old folks, | do
think, but Maria isn't any prettier
than her grandma was-p'r'aps not
nigh on as pretty. Yes, yes, think
lots ofmy grandchildren and I'll think
about this matter. I'll do what's
right, Tom. You are my only SON
how | do remember you as baby!
Your mother sot by you more than
by her daughter, do believe. Well
III see what I'll do tomorrow. What
do they say in the village about this
Carlisle as speaker OF the House? !
believe he is the right man in the right
place, and he will fix this revenue
business straight, / bet" 80 the
fatheran son talked politics amicab-
~ and both slept "the sleep OF the
just" that night.
Next morning the old man had his
old white mare, which he kept for his
own use, harnessed into the sleigh,
and drove her to the village, and saw
the old lawyer, who had been his
friend for more than half a century,
ana told him his errand, and in spite
of his endeavors to the contrary, he
had titls.deed drawn up conveying
all the property to his son, Thomas
Harrison, on condition OF supporting
him comfortably for the remainder OF
his life. The lawyer had urged him to
make provisions for the use OF n horse
and the occupancy OF his bedroom,
which was the largest in the house,
with the open fireplace to be supplied
with fuel, and n lamp for his own spe-
cal use; and also clause that he
should receive what visitors he pleas
ed to invite to the farm. Squire Ba-
con was better versed in the intrcacles
OF the human heart than Mr.. Harri-
son, for he had dealt with men Tor
over 60 years, while the latter
had wrestled with the forests and
the fields and the cattle in his
stalls, and knew not that unless
he held the balance OF power he might
be forced to yield up his possessions
against his inclinations. But Mr..
Harrison would not charge his deter
mination to relinquish all his belong.
iilgs to his son, with only n general
condition OF maintenance for life.
When the deed was prepared Mr..
Bacon said: "Mr. Harrison, lam very
busy to-day; suppose you carry home
this deed and read it to yourson, ana
tell him what your wants will be, ana
have him and his wife agree to sup
ply them, and then come in some day
with Mr.. Craig, the merchant, to wit
ness your signature with me-"
Cant finish it all to-day squireY'
asked Mr.. Harrison. Now, lotted up
on carrying it home to Tom as New
Years present. But if you can't, you
can't, that's all So good day to you, "
and he left the office.
And Mr.. Bacon laughed in his sleeve
at the ruse he had played upon ms
old friend, trusting that before he came
to the village again he might know u
| little more ofhnman nature, MS regards
the balance OF power, and would be
willing to take his advise upon the
subject. ,
Mr.. Harrison's old mare trotted
home slowly, the lines lying upon her
back as she pulled the sleigh up the
long hill that lay between the "hill-
side Farm and the village, while lie
sang triumphantantly the hymn COM
mencing WITH
Joy to the world the Lord hath come.
TO the glorious old tune of Corona
tion," and was very happy in the
thoughts OF making Others happy.
At tea.time he produced the deed
and showed it to his son and his sons
wife, and told them its contents.
But il is not signed" said Thomas.
no" replied his father, "the squire
hadn't time TO get another witness
and nm going down in n few days to
have it executed all right, you know:
He wanted me to put in it that shall
al.srs have the old mare, or another
rs good. for my use; and ] should have
my bedroom and the open fire place
and my own lamp, and your sister
and the Others could come TO visit me,
and n lot OF such stuff, for he had
seen human nature turn against ITS
own folks enough times to look out
for il. | laughed well at that idea